How to Win a Tournament in 8 Easy Steps: Poughkeepsie 2014

[scrabblek8]

1. Avoid playing top three seeds
2. Get away with three phoneys, challenge off two
3. Draw 9 out of 10 blanks on the last day
4. Play all the bingos (40 vs opponents' 22)
5. Go into event with absolutely no expectations
6, Draw first blood (bingoed before opponent in 12 of 16 games, including 5 on first turn (two after trading))
7. Don't drink too much (your mileage may vary - many of my friends can drink too much and still win)
8. Be surrounded by many of your favorite people at the top of contention

Bingo List (mine / theirs)

BASTIOn, ENTRAIN, UNCLEAR / DYNEiNS
GAIETIES, GuNNERS, RETRIEvE / none
EGALITES, RATLINES, REGiNAS / CaPONATA
ROUTEmAN, RETAINER, ROULETTE / MISGrADE
ADOPTER, SEIGNIOR, LEAGUERS / TERRANES, INDigENE
SIDErITE, TRUNDLER, DERIVINg / LARDING
DECRETAL, COUVADEs / PENSIONE, SATIRES
OUTGREEN*, ULCErED, ONAGRIS* / NITROLiC
REGINAL, CEMENTS, OREIDEs / AIRCrEWS, SAUNTER
DUNITEs / GELATING, SAUToIR
TORTOISE, MORAlITY / PRACTISE, TERRIBLy, DEPUTIES
STRIVeN, ALTiTUDE / none
OsTRACA, SoLFEGE / SETTLER, SOPRANO
HaDDEST, sATIETY / CUNEATE
ORIOLES, OUTWINdS, TAGLIKE / AmBARIS
FLAMINgO, FORCEdLY / SNOWIEST, SLOTTER